Nick Smart's International Quintet With Special Guests Lupa Santiago, Benoit Sourisse & Andre Charlier

Join us for this one-off special, a quintet formed by trumpeter and Royal Academy Head of Jazz, Nick Smart, that incorporates some very special guest musicians who will be visiting for the Academy’s International Jazz Festival. Trumpeter Nick Smart includes work with the BBC Big Band and James Taylor Quartet on an extensive CV that also includes the prestigious Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education. Guitarist Lupa Santiago is one of Brazil's leading Jazz musicians, with a worldwide reputation gained through his many collaborations and recordings, including with Paris-based jazz stars Charlier/Sourisse. Belgian drummer André Charlier and French pianist/organist Benoît Sourisse have a musical partnership going back over 20 years, performing and recording with the likes of Jerry Bergonzi, Kenny Garrett and Kurt Rosenwinkel, as well as being long term accompanists for iconic French jazz violinist Didier Lockwood. Their music is an infectious blend of melodic grooves that has been universally acclaimed by audiences and critics around the world. The Quintet is completed by rising sax star, Alex Hitchcock. A powerful and unique combination of master musicians and well worth checking out.

“Smart’s playing was strong and lyrical, his soloing on ballads a real feature…he blew with an unreserved intimacy... fresh and innovative yet, thankfully, never straying too far from... joyous simplicity” Jazzwise